KLICKITAT CO. — Professional Advisors from the America in Bloom (AIB) program will visit Klickitat County July 20-24. The Advisors will visit Lyle, High Prairie, Klickitat, Dallesport, and Wishram. These are some of the many proud and passionate communities across America working on local revitalization programs. Communities that are more welcoming and vibrant have a competitive advantage in stimulating economic development and creating a thriving place for people to live, work, and play. America in Bloom communities experience better cooperation among municipal, commercial, and residential sectors because everyone works toward a common goal.
Advisors will be evaluating the community’s efforts in the areas of community vitality, floral impact, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental initiatives, celebrating heritage, overall impression, and community involvement.
In addition to receiving a detailed written evaluation from the Advisors citing strengths and opportunities for improvement, participants receive a special mention for what the judges deem to be an extraordinary project or program. Additional awards that can be earned include:
Population category winner
Outstanding achievement award — the “best of the best” over all participants in each of the evaluated criteria
Special awards
Community Champion
YouTube Video
The Advisor team members are Carrie Sears and Bruce Riggs.
Carrie Sears
After retiring from a career as a science teacher, Carolynn (Carrie) Sears became a Master Gardener (2008), an Advanced Master Gardener, and a member of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board (2010- 2020). She founded The Invasives Project-Pound Ridge in the winter of 2012. Understanding, protecting, and enjoying the environment is a long-standing passion for her, reinforced with time in the garden. From 2021-2022, Carrie guided the town’s participation in America in Bloom, culminating in recognition for outstanding achievement in community involvement and special recognition for celebrating its heritage. Carrie has a BA from Marietta College, an MS from Bank Street College, and a PhD from The Union Institute.
Bruce Riggs
Bruce Riggs currently freelances in horticulture and is involved in several not for profit institutions. He is also very involved in the family landscape design business with his wife Melanie Menachem Riggs who is also an AIB judge. They reside in New Rochelle, New York. He recently held the position of Curator of Science at the Bruce Museum (no relation!) of Arts & Science in Greenwich, CT. During his 18 years at the New York Botanical Garden, Bruce was very involved with the Horticulture and Education Divisions. He administered the creation and implementation of the internationally recognized interpretation program for the NYBG. He has recently been very involved in elementary school science and horticulture programs. He has worked on projects for the American Association of Museums and the Institute of Museum Studies. He has been very involved with Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville, NY, serving as President since 1998. Bruce is an avid traveler, having visited numerous gardens and natural areas.
To date, more than 400 communities from 44 states have participated in the program and more than 22 million people have been touched by it. Awards will be announced Sept. 24-26 at AIB’s National Symposium & Awards Celebration in Washington, D.C.
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